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LAST TIME:
"It also gives Zora and Ryder time to acquaint themselves with their new school better and make friends. Leaving suddenly would be bad for them since they arrived a bit late. If you could line up the time you want us there right with spring break it would be perfect." Zoe said with a sparkle in her eye as Percy chuckled and nodded.
"Also have the hunters sent word on anything to help with Thalia's tree?" Percy asked as Artemis and Zoe shook their heads, all he could do was frown a bit and sigh.
"We have 3 of the hunts searching for a few things to help with potent poisons. I expect to hear from them in a few weeks about it so don't worry too much. We will save Thalia's tree one way or another." Zoe said with a smile as Percy gave her one back, the safety of the camp had been weighing on him lately. It was one of the reasons he was staying so close even if he was training Nick and Annabeth while he was there.
"For now, let's relax and watch the movie. No more quest talk until after the movie. I wanna see what's so great about vehicles that talk." Vesta said as everyone nodded and then focused on the screen as Vesta pressed the play button.
NOW:
TIME: December 2006
THIRD PERSON POV:
"Hmm… no this doesn't seem right," Cally said as she looked at a small marble statue she had been working on for the past several hours. She was currently tilting her head to the side a bit as she stared at her piece of work. The small statue was a small replica of Cammy in her priestess clothes as she kneeled on the ground and appeared to be making a prayer. The statue was fairly detailed, even going so far as to replicate the scar on her face.
"I think it looks great!" Cammy said with a sparkle in her eye as she walked over from the spot she had been modeling for her Cally. She easily found herself right next to Cally as the two stared at the small statue.
"You think so? It feels like something is missing…" Cally said as she reached up and scratched her head a little, as she continued to ponder on her piece she felt a hand slip into her own as Cammy rested her head on her shoulder. Cally couldn't help but feel as a smile graced her lips, before she tightened her hand around Cammy's, the two simply enjoying the moment with one another as they stared at the statue.
"It is your first time using this type of marble… maybe it is the material that is making it seem like something is off?" Cammy suggested as she glanced up at Cally as dark blue eye met a pair of baby blue ones with dark swirls.
"Still… I think I failed to capture your beauty properly," Cally said in a tiny whisper as Cammy blushed at her words. As she did her eyes seemed to falter a little as she looked at the statue before her eye landed on the scar that replicated her own.
"I am anything but beautiful," Cammy said in a sad tone and ran her hand over her scar, as she did, a hand suddenly reached up and grabbed her hand. Before Cammy could move her face was suddenly tilted upwards as her lips were sealed with a soft and loving kiss.
The demi-goddess was stunned at the surprise action and before she knew it a hand even reached around her back and pulled her closer to the taller woman. The priestess melted into the soft kiss as her body pressed up against Cally's as her worries and sorrows were washed away with the kiss. Ever so slowly Calista pulled away from Cammy as the two let out soft pants for air, their gazes locked with one another as Cally gave Cammy a loving smile.
"You are stunning, everything about you is flawless. Don't say such awful things about yourself." Cally said in a soft tone as she gently ran a thumb over Cammy's scar as she locked eyes with her. Cammy couldn't help but blush a bit more and then nodded like a shy teenage girl like when she first met the woman.
"Okay… I'm sorry." Cammy whispered in an apologetic voice as Cally gave her a soft smile before giving her a small kiss on the forehead. With that, the mood seemed to brighten as the two couldn't help but giggle a little. Just then a figure seemed to come forward with a fancy and classic-style beverage cart before parking it before a table not too far from the two.
"Priestess Cammy, Lady Calista, I have brought a few snacks and different beverages as requested." A woman's somewhat monotone voice filled the air as the two turned to the woman in question. She was currently in a similar priestess dress to Cammy a white Greek robe with red threads on its seams and black ancient Greek designs on its sleeves and bottom. Except her designs were less extravagant than Cammy's by a large margin.
The woman stood at 5 foot 11 and had a very curvy figure that would capture anyone's eye, even more so with the Greek robe that seemed to hug most of her curves. Yet even with her seductive curves and shapely body her skin and face quickly made one nearly leap back in fright. Her skin was pale with a slight tint of sickly green, almost like she had been poisoned. Her face was the real reason people avoided her at all costs.
She had black king cobras for hair all of which were more than just alive as they slithered around her head as some licked at the air while others seemed to laze about. All of them had their defensive hoods relaxed as well as the bundle full of snakes on her head was all seemingly harmless at the moment. If one could guess this was Medusa, the very slave Percy had taken in several months ago.
Her appearance on the other hand was quite different than one would expect, if one ignored the hair full of snakes she had traces of the stunning beauty she once possessed. Now her sickly skin and small scales decorating her cheeks hid them away. Her famous eyes on the other hand were hidden behind a sleep mask with a design that threw off her whole image. On the mask were two anime-like eyes, one was filled with sparkles and joy while the other was winking.
"Thank you, Medusa. I see you're wearing the new mask I got you! So tell me, how do you like it?" Cally said in a happy tone as the queen of the gorgons pursed her lips the tiniest amount as she tried to keep herself from frowning.
"It is… unique." Medusa managed to say as Cally just grinned a little, with that, she grabbed a cane and walked over to the table Medusa was setting up everything on. Even though her eyes were hidden Medusa seemed to see through the mask as her gaze seemed to find the slightly limping Cally a worrisome sight. Quickly she walked over just as Cammy joined Cally's side and both helped her to the table.
"Lady Calista please ask for help if you need it, the lord put me in charge of you and Priestess Cammy's safety. If you are to get hurt I am afraid he will punish me." Medusa said with an exasperated sigh as Cally just waved both of the women off as she sat at the table. With that, her eyes landed on Medusa as she seemed to think for a second.
"You will be fine, if anything does happen I will talk to him. I need to practice walking by myself anyways, thankfully it is getting easier." She said with a small sigh as Medusa poured her and Cammy a cup of tea before standing by their side as Cally glanced up at her. As Cally did a small frown crossed her lips as she set down her cup and stared at Medusa.
"Did I not say to stop acting like a maid when it is tea time? Sit down and join us." Cally said with a huff of annoyance as Medusa seemed to pause at her sudden request.
"A slave… cannot join their master at the table," Medusa said in a flat tone as Cally pursed her lips in annoyance as Cammy glanced at the monster woman.
"I need to talk to Percy about that, I don't understand why he enslaved you in the first place," Cally said as Medusa felt a mix of emotions fill her mind, but she managed to hold them down. The memories of her last night of freedom filled her mind as she couldn't help but feel her soul shake in terror, that black being named Alpha was the cause of many of her nightmares.
"It's because I am a monster, I deserve such a fate." She said with an emotionless laugh at the end as Cally just stared at her as sadness filled her face. Medusa had been tending to her and Cammy for more than just a few months. Interacting with the women taught her a lot, especially her thoughts about herself. If Cally put it into a simple explanation, Medusa was a woman whose life had been ruined by the gods. Her anger and resentment towards them and Percy seemed infinite, part of that resentment extending her way as well.
"Your fate was an incredibly cruel one. You don't deserve what happened to you… just sit and let us chat a little over some tea." Cally said in a sad tone as Medusa's teeth gritted a bit more, yet she couldn't find any words to say as she sat down roughly and stared at the tea in front of her. Her mind seemingly shifted to her more angry memories as one didn't need to see her eyes to sense her frustration brewing.
Cammy just glanced at the frustrated Medusa and the seemingly sad Cally as her mind seemed to try and think of what could make the mood better. Each time Cally had Medusa sit with them for tea Medusa turned into a grouch, not wanting to say anything and simply finish her drink as fast as she could. Suddenly an idea filled her mind as she took a sip of her tea and spoke.
"So Cally I was curious, what god do you dislike the most?" She suddenly asked as the awkward question filled the air. Yet as she asked Medusa paused her finger tapping, she also couldn't help but listen in for once. As a person wronged by the gods she was curious what Cally's answer would be, she actually didn't know much about Cally since she never asked so this would all be new information to her. At that time Cally suddenly snorted as her face was filled with a hint of darkness.
"We talking on Olympus?" She asked as Cammy nodded, Cally then took a deep gulp of her tea and roughly set her glass on the table. Her eyes were full of anger, she seemed like she wanted to spit on the ground in anger. Medusa was surprised by the site, this was her first time seeing the Lady like this.
"That fucking sea monkey! If we are talking non-Olympus god it is obviously Abyss!" She said angrily with a huff as Medusa stared in surprise.
"Sea monkey?" She couldn't help but ask as Cally turned to Medusa with a bit of fire in her eyes.
"Indeed, the very man who cheated on me simply because I couldn't give him a true child. He even had a child with the woman and then he basically ignored me and Percy ever since he found out! Even going so far as to call me a fucking pet! Just thinking about him makes me so fucking furious! That fucking sea god needs to drown in a puddle of hellhound piss!" Cally continued with a rant of anger as she angrily bit into a cupcake as she aggressively chewed. Medusa on the other hand was stunned for a moment before snorting as a grin spread on her face.
"I must say an excellent choice, Lady Callista. Though, I feel a puddle of piss is simply too lenient for him. Perhaps something along the line of eating a poisonous plant that promotes violent diarrhea even in gods. Before I came here I heard word that Hecate had recently found such a plant." Medusa said with a smirk as Cally stared at her before her own smirk played on her lips.
"Hmm… I will have to ask Percy to see if he can inquire about it for me. How about a curse that causes you to stub your toe every couple of hours?" Cally said as Medusa reached over and happily filled up her tea as the two continued to grin at one another.
"I like the way you think Lady Cally. What do you feel about something along the lines of a curse to make him have a limp dick for a couple of hundred years?" Medusa said as Cally happily hummed Medusa even grabbed her own cup and began to gingerly drink it. The two women were clearly in a much better mood as Cammy watched the action from the side with great interest. Even noting things down for the future to maybe even make these ideas were made a reality.
'These two are kinda scary when they focus their hatred.' Cammy thought to herself as the two continued to list horrible and even evil ideas. Their horrible experiences with the sea god managed to form a bond between the two as time slowly passed. Even Cammy joined in as the topic about how horrible gods were slowly expanded past Poseidon and onto others. From Zeus to even Demeter, the two had opinions both good and bad.
Especially Medusa's anger toward Athena who had cursed her to appear like she was now, eventually the whole conversation soon boiled down to the gods and their hypocrisy and horrible pasts. Thanks to parts of Chaos' memories Cally was mostly aware of the things they had done and all their actions that only harmed others for small things. Cammy even brought up Percy and his plan to deal with the gods and their ways, Medusa was honestly shocked to hear about the actions he was planning to take.
Just then before the conversation could continue a teenage girl dressed in priestess clothes ran over to them. Just like that Cammy went into work mode as the girl quickly approached her and whispered a few things in her ear before pulling away as Cammy nodded a few times. After that, the girl stood to the side as her eyes drifted towards Cally, a look of reverence spread across her face.
Everyone in the nest had already been informed that Cally was both Sally's and Chaos' souls fused together. Making her, in a sense, the true mother of Perseus, thus making her an idol and a symbol of awe for them. Some families in the Nest had even started to send prayers her way to bless their families for a safe birth or a happy family. Which led to Cammy adding a section of their 'bible' about it.
"It appears our tea time is over, Hera and Artemis have requested our presence over at the main garden. She wanted to discuss a few things with us about a vacation that is being planned out at the moment." She said as Cally nodded and set down her tea and started to stand up, Medusa then gave a soft sigh as their conversation was cut short.
"Medusa."
"Y-Yes Lady Callista?"
"I hope we all can continue to have such talks in the future, perhaps over tea of course?" Cally said with a smile on her face as Medusa paused as the tiniest of smiles suddenly graced her lips. Yet it was quickly pushed away by a satisfied look on her face as she bowed to Cally and Cammy.
"Whatever the Lady and the Priestess require of this maid. I will clean up here and then attend to my duties. Do you need my assistance to reach the main garden?" Medusa said in her normal tone yet with a hint of underline happiness in it. Cally and Cammy both gave her a small smile as Cally shook her head and grabbed her cane as Cammy joined her side and grabbed her hand.
"I will be fine with Cammy's help, also if it isn't much to ask could you possibly make up another meal of ancient Greek cuisine? That meat you made last time was truly magnificent." Cally said as Medusa's satisfied smile grew a bit more and she nodded.
"Of course milady."
LINEBREAK:
PERCY POV:
"Is that all you got?" A voice mocked me as I stood silently in the middle of a forest fire that burned hotter and hotter by the second. I simply stared and tried to catch my breath, with each gasp only smoke and hot hair filled my lungs. I gnashed my teeth together and pulled what little water was in the atmosphere and even some trees towards me. In a second a small amount of water fell down from the sky on me and soaked me head to toe as it cooled me down.
"I'm far from done!" I yelled as steam began to rise up from my body, the burn marks and wounds on my arms and face also started to stop bleeding. I took a few deep breaths and stood straight as I turned my gaze towards the person who casually walked through the roaring flames around us.
The flames bent around her like a tame animal as she stepped into the clearing and revealed herself. A head full of wavy mousy brown hair that seemed to be merged with the fire itself fell down to her mid-back, even though the ends of it were fully aflame yet didn't injure her dark olive skin one bit. Her face was full of nothing but confidence as a sinister and prideful grin spread on her face, adding to her expression were two cinder eyes that had turned into storms of fire.
"Really? It seems like one more good punch and you will burn up." She said as her smug expression grew even more as I gritted my teeth a little. The sting of the burn wounds on my body seemed to ache with her words.
"Are all Roman gods all this confident? I guess taking down Greece made all of you full of hot air… something you seem to be extra full of… Vesta." I said while spitting on the ground as Vesta's confident face twitched in anger at my comment. She only reached up to her badly damaged armor and shirt and then ripped it off her body revealing a tight black sports bra and a flat and toned stomach.
Her anger then began to grow as flames began to spread down from her shoulders and arms towards her fists. Finally, it seemed to come to a stop when it reached her red leather fighting gloves. Each fist clenched as Vesta's face continued to stare at me with an angry expression. At the same time, a tattoo of a donkey moving a millstone appeared on her left shoulder blade and suddenly began to expand and grow as it made its way down her left arm and side of her body.
The tattoo was violently red and laid in such ways and forms that it seemed like a sea of angry fire was trapped inside it. Soon the angry flames moved down the entire left side of her body from her shoulder to the tips of her toes. It continued to pulse as if it was about to explode as her flames grew in intensity, shining through her semi-baggy pants and bra just a little. The entire left side of her body was soon taken over by her tattoo, yet her face and right side were left completely untouched.
I couldn't help but admire the beautiful patterns of flames that lay on her skin, instead of a goddess of hearth and home she was like an incarnation of fire itself. Especially with the 'I am going to punch you into dust' expression on her beautiful face. Still, I couldn't help but continue to admire the angry goddess, her whole outfit with the tattoo looked reallllllly good on her.
'Focus damn it! And stop staring at her midriff!' Before I could organize my thoughts Vesta moved as she brought both her arms up and punched one fist into the other causing a mini-fire explosion to erupt between them as I gulped a little. I sometimes forgot how worked up Vesta could get with a few insults, note to self… find a few good ones for nighttime.
"Full of hot air? Oh, I'll show you hot air!" She roared angrily as she took one step as the whole forest fire around her moved like a tsunami with her. All I could do was focus as I summoned Crimson Sky and Eternal Bonds into the form of gauntlets as a white flame burst from my body. In a single moment, Vesta was on top of me with a punch carrying a tornado of fire behind it as I gritted my teeth and punched back.
*BOOOM!*
A supernova of flames burst from the contact point of our fists as a wave of fire slammed into me and sent me flying upwards. I smashed through several burning trees with ease as I managed to break through the cover of them and into the open sky. My intact skin cracked and burned from the heat alone as I felt a few bones crack from smashing into the trees and a few fingers shatter from her punch.
My whole body ached in immense pain. It reminded me of the time I fought Poseidon but this time it was much worse. Remembering the time I felt a huge burst of anger and energy inside my body erupt. I let out a yell that shook the sky and my bone wings flew out of the slits on my back as each spread to their full 17ft length. I pushed through the pain enveloping my body as I pushed my aura even harder as it shifted from its normal black to a white and red color.
In a moment I put everything I had into my fire powers as I suddenly felt connected to the miles of burning and roaring flames around me. My mind surged as I felt blood pour from my lips and make my mouth taste like iron. Just then the flames in the forest around me and even the ones from the supernova started to fly towards me, Vesta's eyes widened as she watched with a spreading grin.
My aura, the flames, and my bone wings seemed to start to meld into one as white feathers with orange tips started to appear from the tornado of flames around each wing. The white-hot fire seemed to take a physical form as two huge white and orange-tinted wings were soon born. Each radiated so much heat that the air seemed to twist and morph around them. I could feel the power surge through my body as my connection with flames solidified into something more for the first time.
Weeks of training with Vesta and Hestia finally showed the fruits of their labor, though I didn't unlock a domain I felt infinitely closer than before. Just then I felt the trial of Hemera that was in my soul shake the tiniest amount, a whisper of words filled my mind as the world seemed to pause around me.
'Visit me at dawn.' Hemera's soft words filled my mind.
I couldn't help but let out my excitement as my gaze landed on Vesta before I revealed a grin matching her own. Seeing me grin Vesta just grinned even more as she took one step before a set of wings suddenly burst from her back as well. Two huge wings that looked like that of a cardinal sprung from her back, their beautiful red color caught my gaze before they suddenly began to merge with the flames around them turning them into wings like that of a phoenix.
I blinked in surprise seeing Vesta summon her own wings, remembering that the god's wings were special in many ways. Most of the time they never even revealed them and doing so was reserved for personal actions with the person you love. Yet Vesta summoned hers with ease and even used her powers to enhance them as she shot my way like a firestorm. The flames on the trees below flew into the sky as well as soon the whole world turned crimson around me.
"Let's GOOO!" I roared as I shot toward Vesta, flames wrapping around my arms just like Vesta as we were both consumed in the world of flames.
We both met in the air throwing blows at one another as a supernova and explosion erupted from each of our punches. Even our wings seemed to fight one another as Vesta's seemed to smash into mine and even move my body to make it easier for her to punch. It was my first true aerial battle yet I was losing so perfectly it was unreal, I tumbled through the air while Vesta soared.
Her fists were far faster than mine as they struck my body and burned away my skin even more. I barely managed to dodge and block a few and even managed to land a few blows myself but her close-quarters aerial combat was vastly superior to mine. I even started to throw out bursts of fire that Vesta broke through with ease, each one only leaving her skin lightly singed and nothing more.
I gritted my teeth in frustration a little as I felt nothing was managing to make its way through her defenses. At the same time, I felt my energy reserved draining to the point I only had a few minutes left. I simply pushed even harder as a large amount of flame wrapped around my arm as my broken fist met Vesta's fist.
*BOOM!*
With a blinding light and flames spewing all over me, I was once again thrown backward into the sky as another collision of fists and fire happened. The firestorm created by this blow actually burned us both as I felt my body waver under the intense flames. Vesta's skin even began to burn and blister in several places before the storm subsided. On the other hand, my armor and newly gained partial fire immunity did zero to little against her flames.
My skin felt like charcoal and my lungs felt like they were now cooked. My breathing had long turned into gasps for what little oxygen was in the air as I found it troublesome to regain my breath. I knew this fight was one I was not going to win after I made Vesta angry but I didn't care, training was training for a reason and I managed to fulfill my goal. Still, Vesta seemed intent on turning me into a shishkabob. She hadn't even used her tattoo powers yet even though she summoned it.
"One more punch and I think it will be my win," Vesta said as she flew a bit away from me as she sported a few good wounds but nothing serious like my own. My eyes could only stare at her as I gritted my teeth and pulled at my gut with everything I had as my flames seemed to grow 2 times as large and even hotter. Both my worn and broken arms were covered by this intense fire as I raised up my fists as Vesta seemed to pause and stare at me.
"There is more of that hot air." I managed to say through my charred lips as Vesta's face scrunched up with anger. Just then her tattoo began to glow rapidly as I froze in place as Vesta just gave me an angry smirk. A wave of dread and death seemed to overcome me as I suddenly felt my flames seem to struggle in my control as her tattoo began to shine even more. Oh boy, she was really mad now.
"I-I take back what I sai-" I tried to say something but the fire around her seemed to coalesce into a ball around her as I felt my impending doom grow. Her eyes gleamed with pure power as soon the flames in the sky and the world around us shot towards her even faster.
"Flame queen incarnate," Vesta said before she was buried under the flames, and soon a massive 100-foot giant of flames came to life. Each and every flame under my control was ripped from me and only my wings were left as the giant soon began to look like a massive Vesta. Except she now had a massive spear and shield and was fully decked out in Roman armor. All I could do was stare in awe as I felt the gaze of the beast land on me as I felt a new burst of heat radiate from it.
The forest by its feet suddenly turned into a wave of ash due to the intense heat and even the ground began to turn molten. Then came the pressure as I felt the full weight of a godly aura slam into me as I was nearly knocked out of the sky. I couldn't even move as the giant began to pull back its spear arm and then with a swift easy movement thrust it right towards me.
*BOOOOOOM!!!!!*
LINEBREAK:
"AAHHH!" I suddenly screamed as I suddenly shot up from a seat and crumpled to the ground in front of it as I gasped for air. The feeling of burning alive under such extreme temperatures filled my mind. The feeling of having every inch of muscle, skin, and even bones burn away sent waves of pain through my brain. I felt the need to vomit but managed to force it down as I took my breaths. Suddenly I felt a hand lightly touch my shoulder and I shivered a little.
"It's okay Percy, calm down. It's okay now." A calm and soothing voice filled my mind as I was pulled into a soft embrace as one hand started to pet my head. I couldn't help but wrap my arms around her as well as I pulled my face even tighter against her stomach as I took a few more deep breaths. The sweet scent of berries and lush forest filled my nose as I calmed down even more.
"Thank you, Artemis," I whispered into her stomach as she simply gave a soft sigh and continued to pet me for a few more moments. Finally, my heart stopped racing and my nerves were relaxed as she let me go. Two yellowy silver eyes stared at me as if double-checking me until she gave a small nod before glancing at the place I was just sitting.
Ten stone chairs currently sat in a huge circle that surrounded a large crystal ball that currently depicted a world of flame that a giant flaming Vesta stood inside. After the number of residents in the Nest had reached 1000 residents, which was thanks to a combination of Tia, Orthos, the hunters, a few 'missionaries' Cammy made, and my own hard work. This place suddenly sprouted up from the fog that surrounded the nest. I knew that as more people started to call this place home it expanded but I had no idea secrets like this were hidden in it.
This thing was a soul or mental world battlefield, anyone who sat in the chairs would be drawn into the marble world and could fight without worries. Any wounds obtained in the marble world would not carry to the real one and if you died inside you were booted out. Recently I had been using it to boost my control over my fire powers which had helped a bunch, however, each time I died inside I was left drained for the day or the next.
"I really wish you would take a break once in a while. Dying so many times in that marble can't be good for you." She said in a worried tone as she stared at me, her soft eyes telling me to take a break as I gave her a small smile.
"I know, I know. Thank you for worrying, but I got what I wanted so no need to worry anymore. I think I will take a break for a while, maybe relax and do nothing… you know if you're down I wouldn't mind having a snuggle buddy." I said with a wink as a golden blush crossed her cheeks as she became a little flustered from my words.
"T-That might be nice." She suddenly whispered as her silver eyes trembled a tiny bit before she scooted backward and stood up. I couldn't help but chuckle at her actions. I slowly stood up and soon towered over the goddess as she kept giving me an embarrassed look, seeing her shy look simply wanted to make me tease her more.
"Oh my, one minute you're in a life-and-death battle and the next you're flirting with a goddess. I must say you are truly promiscuous." A voice suddenly jolted me and Artemis from our little world. I quickly turned to see Vesta standing up from her chair and stretching a little. A brat-like grin on her face as Artemis began to blush profusely as I just stared at the mischievous goddess who moments ago burned me to death. The image of her and her fire avatar overlapped for a second but quickly went away as I let out a small huff.
"Hmm… Artemis let's go see what Hera's doing." I said as Artemis seemed to catch my drift and nodded, I simply held out my hand and Artemis quickly took it in hers as we both began to walk away from the stunned Vesta.
"H-Hey wait! I was just joking!" Vesta quickly ran our way and quickly caught up to us but I kept my eyes forward as Artemis did the same. Seeing us ignore her, Vesta's bratty face turned to a worried one as she quickly grabbed my free hand and arm before holding her entire body up against it. Her soft body sent a small shiver down my spine but I managed to keep a straight face as I glanced down at the slightly pouty Vesta.
"I'm sorry for teasing you two." A quick apology came out of her pouty lips as I gave a soft laugh.
"Are you sure?" I asked as Vesta looked up at me and pouted even more as she tugged on my arm. I just internally laughed as the bratty goddess folded in less than a few sentences. Though I knew if she was truly going to be bratty she would not fold this easily, staring into her cinder eyes I couldn't help but lean down and plant a quick kiss on her soft lips. Stunning the goddess for a second as a blush crossed her face and a small grin of happiness appeared.
As Vesta grew a bit happier I suddenly felt a small tug from my right arm as I turned to see Artemis giving me a small look. Seeing her look I just smiled before lending down and planting a chaste kiss on her cheek, as I pulled away my face was pulled down by a tug of my arm and her lips found my cheek as a grin spread on my face. I couldn't help but squeeze each of my hands three times as both goddesses quickly did the same, all three of us then began to happily walk toward where Hera and the others resided.
"So… like when are you two gonna kiss for real?" Vesta suddenly curiously asked us as I froze for a second while Artemis' face turned pure gold. Seeing our response a cat-like grin sprouted on Vesta's face and I couldn't help but blush as well. Leave it to Vesta to go flip from her bratty state to a cute and loving woman to brat again in a minute or two. Part of me almost wanted to punish her…
'Hehe boss your thoughts are leaking out,' a snark voice filled my mind as Alpha decided to chime in and instantly shoved him into the 'quiet' zone to shut him up. After that, I couldn't help but glance toward the auburn hair goddess as my thoughts seemed to unfreeze a tiny bit.
It had been a question on both our minds recently, ever since that night both of us were growing closer but neither of us took that step yet. Cheek and forehead kisses were all we did but we simply never found the right moment for that first kiss. Artemis suddenly glanced up at me and blushed harder before shyly turning her head away from us both as her grip on my arm tightened a little.
"S-Soon…" Artemis said in a squeak of a voice as Vesta suddenly blushed at the cuteness and I did the same. All three of us could only continue to walk to our destination hand in hand as we all blushed un unison.
HERA POV:
"So have you put in your vacation days yet?" I asked as Artemis and Vesta blinked in confusion as Percy gave me a thumbs up. Zoe and Hestia also did the same while attending Zora and Ryder's snacks as I jotted down a few things on my laptop.
"We get vacation days?" Artemis suddenly asked in a confused voice as Vesta seemed to silently ask the same one. Everyone suddenly seemed to pause for a bit as we stared at the two goddesses with a befuddled look. Zoe even managed to hand Ryder the wrong slice of watermelon as he received a quarter of a full mellon with sparkling eyes.
"Are you serious right now?" I couldn't help but ask as the two continued to blink at me like confused puppies, I felt a headache start to form in my head as Artemis started to give a panicked look as Vesta did the same. These two beautiful women were too much sometimes, but then again I couldn't help but admit that the ditzy Artemis and Vesta were very cute.
"N-No… so do we?" Vesta managed to say as her bold lie fell flat on us, her eyes then wandered to everyone as if trying to see our reactions. Unfortunately, all she saw were faces of disappointment that almost seemed sorry for her. Finally, I couldn't help but release a long and heavy sigh as both of them gulped a tiny bit as they found themselves under my gaze.
"Of course, you do! It is specifically listed on the Olympian god workers guide on page 35 paragraph 4 under vacation! Every year a god is entitled to 25 days of vacation from their godly duties, they may trade days for tasks or earn more. If more days are taken off than you have, your pay will be voided for that day." I said in an exasperated tone as the two began to sweat a tiny bit.
"..." Their silence was far louder than any words they could have said as I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my head. The loud munching of Ryder and his oversized watermelon slice is the only sound in the area.
"Milady, I thought I told you to read your contracts when they are renewed every 5 years…"
"I-I did! I mean… I might have skimmed it a little…"
"H-Hestia help me out here!"
"I kept telling you to stop putting off the paperwork you needed to do. I already applied for my days off, you are on your own here Vesta."
"Ugh!!!" x2
"Do you two need help?" I asked with a small sigh.
"P-Pretty please Hera," Artemis said to me as I met a pair of baby doe eyes that shone in all their silver glory. I simply couldn't say no to those eyes as I let out a sigh and then patted the seat next to mine, to which Artemis quickly slid over to as I brought up a new tab on my laptop. At the same time, Vesta did the same as I huffed a bit and repeated the process as I now had two goddesses by my side literally begging for help.
'Is it wrong to enjoy this feeling?' Juno asked in my mind as I internally coughed, yet I couldn't help but agree with her as the two scootched a bit closer. To the point, they were leaning against me as I enjoyed the warm touch from both.
'G-Get ahold of yourself Hera, also shush Juno. I need to focus on this.' I managed to say in my head as Juno seemed to give a small giggle before receding a bit further back into my mind. With that, my hands began to fly across my keyboard as the forms for both goddesses seemed to fill out very quickly before me. Obviously, I alerted the reason for each vacation request for both as well, making sure to leave no tracks for Zeus or any other snoopy gods to find.
"If anyone asks you are tending to your chariot Artemis, the right wheel is in need of some repair. Vesta, you are going to a small conference about old-fashioned stone mills in Tennessee." I quickly said as the two nodded.
"A conference on fashioned stone mills? That does sound like a fun time I will admit." Hestia said as Vesta gave a similar nod as everyone glanced at the goddesses. The two then seemed to have a small mental communication as I finished filling out the forms and quickly submitted them. I simply had to wait for a bit for them to be approved before anything could happen on our end.
"I believe that makes everyone, Zoe, Hestia, and Percy are all done. Ryder and Zora will be out of school for spring break, I think all that is left is making sure Cally and Cammy can join us." I said as I suddenly sensed two new presences I turned to see the two mentioned ladies hand in hand.
"Hope we aren't late," Cally said in an apologetic tone as we all shook our heads.
"You're just in time, Hera was actually just getting everything settled on Olympus's side and our schedules in sync," Percy said as he flashed me a smile as Cally and Cammy took a loveseat to the side.
"Is that so? Did everyone put in their vacation days already?" Cammy asked while adjusting herself a little against Cally while sneaking her hand into Cally's. Yet at her question, everyone froze a little and then slowly looked at Artemis and Vesta as the two couldn't meet their gazes. The two couldn't help but follow their gazes as Artemis and Vesta seemed to shrink a bit.
"Mistakes were made, but we are good now. Hera helped us out." Vesta managed to say with a blush on her face as she glanced up at me as her adorableness made my heart skip a beat.
"I see… so what days do we need to take off?" Cally asked, seemingly passing off the blushing goddesses. Seeing her do such a thing Juno couldn't help but laugh inside my head as I even saw Percy flash a smirk but quickly hide it away. With that, the days were quickly given to the two and everything was taken care of, Cally didn't have any doctor's appointments that week and Cammy was basically free whenever.
"That should be everything, I will send out an email to everyone and we will plan out an itinerary," I said as everyone nodded but Percy gave me a confused look as I looked at him.
"Is something wrong?" I couldn't help but ask as Percy seemed to think about something but then looked at me with a slightly curious look.
"I mean… I can't exactly use a computer or phone and neither can Zoe. If we do, we more or less become a massive beacon for monsters. Especially myself, I am sure I could summon a literal horde of monsters." He said as I paused and blinked for a moment, I had completely forgotten about such things. Just then a sense of guilt and shame filled me, I had actually forgotten one of the major weaknesses of demigods.
"I will make a printout and get it to you two, have Hestia submit it to me when you all fill it out," I said as he nodded with a look of understanding before pausing before he glanced at Zoe who shared his gaze. The two seemed to exchange some sort of invisible information between the two of them.
"Actually me and Zoe had an idea that we have been thinking about for a bit. We were wondering if it was possible to make a communication device for demigods, we thought maybe Hephaestus might be able to make something we could use. While I don't mind using Iris' messages I feel a phone would be more convenient, especially for daily life with mortals." Percy admitted as Zoe nodded along with him.
"That sounds like an excellent idea, I will definitely suggest it to Hephaestus… if he actually decides to listen to me," I said with a deep sigh as I felt a hand sneak into mine and give it a squeeze of motivation. I didn't need to look to know it was Artemis. I squeezed her hand back a few times as I felt a bit more motivated. At the same time, I noticed everyone giving me a smile and I couldn't help but do the same.
"I will try my best! Hopefully, I will have some good news for you all after I talk to him. In the meantime… I have a few missions I need you to take care of." I said in a slightly apologetic tone as Percy just laughed a little and gave me an amazing smile.
"Anything for my queen," Percy said in a smooth and deep voice and even threw in a small bow with a wink at the end. Instantly I felt my heart skip a beat and the tiniest blush cross my face, this boy was ridiculous.
'Oh my, d-do you think we could get him to say that again? This time in a bit more knightly voice?'
'H-Hush Juno, you are so not helping.'
"Y-You don't have to call me that." I managed to get out but a few smiles spread on the faces of everyone present.
"I don't think I would mind you calling me that." Hestia suddenly said everyone turned to her as she had on a dignified face.
"Hestia, my queen of flames," Percy repeated in the same tone as Hestia smiled and seemed to sit up a bit straighter as a tiny blush crossed her face.
"Me next!" Zoe said with a grin on her face as Percy turned to her and grabbed her hand since she was so close.
"Zoe, my queen of silver," Percy said with a kiss on her hand Zoe's face brightened drastically as her face turned pure red. With that everyone suddenly seemed to turn to Percy with expectations of said treatment. Percy on the other hand was happy to dish it out with a sly smile and killer grin.
"Vesta, my queen of infernos,"
"Hehe please go on, this pleases your queen of inferno."
"Artemis, my queen of the hunt."
"W-Whatever… Do you think you can add the moon next time?"
"What about me Daddy!?"
"Haha! Zora, my princess of the sea!" Percy said before swiping her up in his arms and giving her a kiss on the forehead before setting her down and turning to Ryder who was looking up at him from his giant slice of watermelon.
"Ryder, my prince of strength!"
"Daddy you're silly," Ryder said as Percy kissed his forehead as well. I couldn't help but watch everything happen as I felt a true sense of ease in my soul. It had been so long since I had such a thing in my life it was like a dream come true, if this was a dream I didn't want to wake up.
LINEBREAK:
PERCY POV:
My eyes fluttered open as I found the world around me different from the one I was just in. After an eventful evening with everyone, we returned to our home in New York. I went to bed while cuddling Hestia, Vesta, and Zoe and then woke up early to the sunset just like the instructions I reviewed from Hemera's orb. No longer was I sitting on the top of one of New York's many buildings but a flat plain of lush and green glass.
Dotting the land was a few trees and bushes but nothing more besides the soft sunlight covering the land like a blanket. Just then a soft breeze rushed over the land that smelled like the sweet scent of fruits. I couldn't help but feel every muscle in my body relax, this place was so peaceful it was almost magical.
"It's nice here isn't it?" Suddenly a familiar voice filled the air. I felt my emotions well up inside as I turned to see Hemera. She was dressed in the same simple sundress that had the very image of a sun woven into it I had last seen her in. Her golden sun-like eyes were gleaming at me while her bright white teeth were exposed from her brilliant smile.
"It's amazing,but seeing you again Sister makes it even better." I said as Hemera smile even wider as she patted the ground beside her as I walked over to her and sat down. The two of us sat side by side in silence for a while as we enjoyed the warm sun on our skin. After a while, two arms wrapped around me and hugged me as Hemera started to hug me and soon I quickly returned it. The two of us stayed still for a bit longer until Hemera reached up and wiped a few stray tears from her eyes and gave me a beaming smile.
"It is good to see you too Percy, I thought it would be a few years until you reached the prerequisites to come here. Fortunately, you focused on your flame powers enough to finally reach it." She said happily and I gave a small smile as she looked at me.
"I tried my best for sure, Vesta and Hestia both were a huge help. I can't believe I managed to form wings from flames, that took me forever." I said with a sigh as Hemera just gave me a soft laugh.
"It was truly impressive for your level indeed, your control over flames has grown a lot since Hestia helped you develop in the very beginning. Now you have finally reached the control necessary for me to give you the trial you will face for my domain." She said as she turned her stare towards the sky as I joined her, our eyes locked onto the blue sky.
"Percy, do you know what the day represents?" Hemera asked me as I continued to stare at the sky for a bit.
"I guess it means a lot, people and animals move a lot during the day. It is our time to go about and do things we need to, it also represents hope and growth. Plants need the day and sunlight to grow and become things we need to survive. I guess it also represents scorching temperatures and death in other places. I guess it just depends on who you are and where you live. But one thing is constant about all places, the day brings with it life." I said as Hemera nodded before she laid back on the ground and put her hands under her head.
"You're right, day means an infinite number of things for an infinite number of places and people. It brings life as well as death, but the things it brings with it most are opportunity and beginnings. The day and sun are also permanently intertwined, one cannot exist without the other and the same goes for sunset and sunrise. You will even find that night and day are also linked just as well."
"Since you expanded so much on your control of flame you have understood a part of the domain of day. Yet now you must expand your understanding on the other parts as well, you must understand what the flames mean and the light they bring. Once you understand half of what a day means you will unlock part of the domain, just remember that day is not made up of a single domain either. It contains parts of many others, let your mind explore itself and discover what day means to you."
Hemera said as took a deep breath the entire sky seemed to shiver and shake as the sun began to move much faster across the sky. It was beyond anything I had ever seen as I watched in awe as the sun began to approach the horizon.
"Day starts with sunrise and ends with sunset, the warmth of its rays comes and goes like a tide, people awake and then go to sleep, animals forage and then do the same, beasts hide when the day comes and come out when the day ends. The never-ending cycle of sun and night brings with it a cycle of life and death." She continued as I watched the sun finally reach the horizon. My mind seemed to tingle a little, her words sinking into my mind like a chant.
"The day is not alone and is made of many things, the cycle of life and death, hope and misery, light and dark, and yin and yang. I think I am starting to understand, it also sounds like I have a lot more homework to do than I first imagined." I said with a small chuckle as Hemera joined me her eyes seemed to sparkle a little. Just then the world began to darken as it also seemed to slowly fade from existence. It seemed that her advice came at a cost and was limiting our time together. I wanted to stay longer but I knew I would see her again, at least one last time.
"Indeed you do, but don't worry I have faith in you Percy. If there is anyone who can do it is you. You have our mother's blood and I have never seen anyone more talented than you. Believe in yourself and become the day that this world needs." She finished as she turned to face me as the last of the world began to dissipate into night. Even her smile and brilliant eyes were turning to shadows by the second as I felt sorrow build in my chest.
"I will sister, I promise," I said as I reached over and grabbed her hand as she grabbed mine. All I could do was stare at her as the last remnants of her being were consumed by darkness. With one last glimmer from her eyes, everything finally turned to darkness.
A/V: Sorry for the late update! I have been working like crazy and lost a little bit of drive for my story. But I got it back and I am ready to go! Hopefully I should have 30.5 out here in the next week or so and another chapter for Akashic system a bit after that or before. Also I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
E/N: Ahh he is back! Spooked me a bit when I got the text from him! Hehe all jokes aside burnout sucks and work taking away time is so real, as I have a new job giving me 40 hours a week MINIMUM. I digress though, the chapter was as always up to par and amazing, sure it was more story based, but we need to continue the story along after all! We have a mighty long one ahead of us! I hope you guys enjoyed it, if you want to; join the discord (his is smaller and I try to reply on his behalf if he is busy!) Anywayyyys byeeee! - Sol